Hilltop Gore Cemetery
Also known as: Clairville Public Cemetery
Location:
The Gore Road, Brampton, Peel Region, Ontario, Canada.
Concession 9, lots 3 and 4, Toronto Gore Township.
GPS:
Latitude: 43.7640°N
Longitude: -79.6526°W
History:
This cemetery was founded in 1832 when Mr. John Eaton and Mr. Dickenson Fletcher each gave one acre of land, being portions of their farms, i.e. lots 3 and 4.
There was originally a school in this burying ground, and this was also used as a church; Mr William Hewgill Sr. (Methodist) acted as both teacher and a minister at one time. On October 1, 1834, a long lease on the property was given to the first trustees, Mr. John Bland, Mr. Dickenson Fletcher and Mr. Elisha Lawrence.
The first burial to take place in this cemetery was that of Mary Natris (Nattress), aged 5 weeks on May 21, 1832. There are over 275 registered burials; however, many headstones are missing or perhaps were never placed, the early pioneers having used other more temporary markers. Many of the entries in the Register Book indicate the names of well-known pioneers, the inter-marriages, and the tragedies that occurred in the great number of deaths of the young children. In the spring of 1882, the Daniel Hewgill family lost four children within a month to the dreaded diphtheria and other families were similarly affected.
Many well-known families of Vaughan and Etobicoke Townships have members buried here. William PORTER is one, who came to America in 1819 from Yorkshire and was a contractor on the Erie, Welland and Rideau Canals. He settled near Claireveille in 1832. He died in 1866.
Another pioneer of the area was Mr. Elisha LAWRENCE who came to the Gore in 1822. He was one of the very earliest settlers, and of U.E.L. stock, originally from New Jersey. After the Revolutionary War, his parents settled in New Brunswick where he was born in 1799. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of Isaac DEVINS who arrived at York in 1793 from Pennsylvania. She was born in York in 1799 and is buried beside her husband.
Other prominent names include Isaac Nattress, William Foster, William Hewgill, George Kellam, William Sleightholm, James Watson and many others.
The cemetery fell into a state of neglect, and 1930 work was put in progress to improve and renovate it. The trustees then were Isaac Lawrence, Frank Nattress, Ira Champline and Samuel Hewgill. The old stones were collected and later mounted in a cairn and some families have erected new monuments. The fencing was repaired or replaced, and the grounds are presently being kept in good condition by Mr. Champline. The cemetery is now closed to burials.
Written by: Mr W.A. Duck, August 1, 1974
PLAQUE ON CAIRN – HILLTOP GORE CEMETERY 1832 – 1966
In commemoration of the pioneers in the community
and surrounding area.
Faith of our fathers living still.
Fred W. Faber
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